Women's Track & Field

Thomas Powers MIT Track and Field with Two Institute Records

May 12, 2008

May 10, 2008

DURHAM, N.H. -Aline Thomas is leaving nothing in the tank as she heads toward the end of her senior year. Competing at the 2008 NEICAAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Thomas paced the Engineers to 14th in the team standings after thundering to Institute records in the shot put and hammer throw.

Thomas has improved her marks steadily all season, but Saturday's performance was easily the best outing of her career. Thomas topped her standing school record in the hammer with a toss of 164'7". Netting third place in the event and tops among all Division III competitors, Thomas may have solidified her spot at the NCAA Championships with the result. Capping the afternoon with another impressive showing, Thomas broke Princess Imoukhuede's 2002 record in the shot put with a throw of 43'10.75". Breaking the previous record by one-quarter of one inch, Thomas finished sixth against the field. In both events, she currently ranks among the top 15 in Division III.

Thomas wasn't the only MIT athlete to enjoy a record-breaking meet. In what appears to be a weekly occurrence, junior Andrea Bradshaw shaved a little more time off her record in the 800-meter run. Although she finished outside of the scoring, Bradshaw completed the circuit in a program-best 2:16.89.

The Engineers had a few "near records" during the meet as well. Margaret Leibovic ran 12.75 in the 100m dash while Jacqui Wentz authored the program's second-fastest time in the steeplechase with a personal record of 11:07.63.

MIT secured the remainder of its points in the pole vault, where Emily Hwang tied for sixth with a clear of 10'11.75". Senior Leanne Veldhuis also performed well, but missed qualifying for finals by one spot in the 400m hurdles after a time of 1:05.55.